On Mon, 22 Jan 2001, Caleb Faux wrote:
> Given todays urban development patterns, it clearly doesn't. And
> truth be told, that lifestyle is not at all unusual. You point out
> the fatal flaw in the typical discussion of light rail. The only way
> that changes is if the range of destinations you describe are
> concentrated in close proximity. Unless land use patterns change as
> well.
> One of the unfortunate results of zoning as it has been done for the
> last 40 years is to segregate land use types, making that type of
> daily schedule almost a necessity. How many of those things could you
> walk to?
For more food for thought, take the act of grocery shopping. I've
got three places I can go for this essential service. One down the street
in easy walking distance (if I'm not carrying too much), another one
further down the busy street, and the Rainbow about 1.5 miles away.
Buying a weeks worth of groceries for me and my wife takes between
3-5 bags, with frequently a 12-pack of coke thrown in. This is not
something one person can carry by themselves without some assistance. I
suspect this may be why I don't see all that much in the way of
groceries-on-the-bus.
Sabrina's 1.5 blocks away poor selection convenience-stoor prices
Knowlands 8 blocks away good selection fair prices
Rainbow 1.5 miles away excelent selection v. good prices
The Sabrina's is the 'runout' store of choice for dairy items and such
stables as egg-noodles. The Knowlands is good for more complex runout
lists, or those very rare times when the Rainbow has run out of something
we need (like lactose-free milk).
I can do about 60% of the shopping I need at the Sabrinas. The Knowlands
can take care of 95% of the shopping I need, and that last 5% is only an
every-third-week thing. But economies of scale make me shop at the
Rainbow, as it is easier on the pocket-book. The Knownlands is close
enough that I could conceivably shop there every other day and walk
home... in summer. Oh, and I can get to both the Knowlands and Rainbow by
bus if I chose.
So a simple thing like how often do you shop for groceries can affect
transit choices. If I have to shop twice a week because thats the only
way I can get it so I can carry everything home on the bus, that's a major
time-committment to shopping. But if I can just drag my car out there,
haul back 6 bags and not go back for two weeks, that's a heck of a
time savings.
Greg Riedesel
South St. Paul
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